Gone are those days when creating a Bootstrap website gave web designers a hard time. In those days, you would need to design two different versions of your bootstrap website with different features – mobile version and desktop version. However, technological advancements now make the process of creating the Bootstrap site much more straightforward.
Despite these advancements, there are still some people struggling with making a perfect design. So if you’re among those that need to learn from scratch how to design Bootstrap or you’d like to enhance your knowledge, then this writeup is for you. Do read on to gain essential tips that would help in your venture.
Ensure you’re familiar with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript
Before you begin your Bootstrap tutorials or jump in profoundly, you must first be familiar with the primary software languages. They are JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Using Bootstrap will make it easier to create and edit your website while applying the three languages. Where you lack a basic knowledge of CSS and HTML, for instance, then you may have to hold off on starting to practice Bootstrap.
Fortunately for you, improving your language techniques does not take time. Start with CSS and HTML. If you haven’t taken courses in any of the languages, then endeavor to do so. When you learn how to use both coding languages effectively, then you will be able to rehearse simple web pages.
Take online courses in Bootstrap
Perhaps the only experience you have is you looking at Bootstrap examples online. This is not sufficient for proper learning. So it’s high time you took online courses. We recommend this because these online courses will offer you excellent learning resources, at a cost less than that of the traditional courses. Other benefits of that come with learning Bootstrap via online classes include:
- You will not be restrained by time, unlike learning through physical classes. It means that when you have a complicated topic, you may spend as much time as you need to grasp it. This allows you to gain a better understanding of the Bootstrap site and how you can use it.
- If you find a JavaScript or CSS code that is difficult for you to understand, you may suspend your course in Bootstrap to solve the problem.
- Learning online allows you to learn at whatever time is convenient for you during the night or day.
From the above, you’ll see that taking online courses is a great way to know how to run Bootstrap. However, it is vital to ensure that you select top-quality online courses. Otherwise, you might realize that you’re working through an online course that doesn’t teach enough. Where this happens, you may not only learn peripherally but also learn obsolete techniques.
Ensure you install the newest Bootstrap version
If you have tried understanding how Bootstrap works before now, then you likely still have the old version on your device. The latest one available is Bootstrap 4. It was published in 2017. This version has extra features and a selection of updates when you compare it to the earlier version (Bootstrap 3). Other features of the Bootstrap 4 include:
A more advanced interface and user-friendly look.
- An improved version of the reboot function, also known as “Normalize CSS.” This design is to make all the elements of HTML constant in appearance.
- Flexbox: This is an essential feature of Bootstrap 4. It helps you to align or scale even very complex elements in simple and straightforward manners.
- A variety of newer utility classes: These classes include alignment of responsive text, responsive embedding, responsive floats, etc. They give you much more freedom to design and make your learning Bootstrap easier. This will allow you to make better websites, even without extra efforts.
Despite all of the above, there are still some arguments about Bootstrap 3 and Bootstrap 4. According to startup bootstrap template builder, the latter version seems better in all respects. If you are unsure about which of the versions you have on your computer, then head to the Bootstrap page to download and install an updated version.
Know about and use plugins
Bootstrap provides several plugins and some other functions that are useful for you to create an awesome website. Most of these plugins are made with jQuery and are written in the JavaScript language. However, you may use them in theory. That is, without having to write or understand a line of the JavaScript code.
There are so many plugins available for people interested in learning Bootstrap. Yes, most of the plugins are unofficial, but they’re still useful and may become valuable components to your website. By quickly searching the web, you’ll find out various plugin libraries. Then you can choose whichever one will suit you best.
Practice Bootstrap by building simple websites
If you have an interest in learning Bootstrap, you will need to go about it in the way you would any other development tool or framework. This means that you will need constant and extensive practice. Since you can use Bootstrap to make a website from scratch, one of the best ways to perfect using it will be to begin designing simple websites. Above, in point 3, we recommended that you download and install Bootstrap’s latest version. This is what you need before you can build your site. Otherwise, you will be applying old techniques.
Based on your understanding of Bootstrap, CSS, and HTML, you now have the know-how to put your site together. It may not be fancy or perfect in the beginning, but you can still customize and enhance it later. Anyway, try to make the site look good.
In conclusion
If you’re a front-end developer, Bootstrap is an excellent resource that will assist you. It helps in providing a properly-structured framework, and a vast library of JavaScript and CSS code to use in drawing while creating your website. It also offers you the platform to include other systems from outside sources and interactive plugins. Ensure that you continue learning by keeping up with blogs and watching Bootstrap videos. You should also be active in physical and online developer groups.
Finally, don’t forget to be logical about the learning process. Some people have been using Bootstrap for a long time, so you may not be as professional as they are without plenty of practice. Do it gradually, and remember to have fun while learning!